The National Shrine at the World Trade Center Greek Orthodox Saint Nicholas Church just opened. It was recently completed after the previous church was destroyed when the Twin Towers collapsed upon it in 2001.
It is the Greek Orthodox Church’s version of modern architecture and I must say it is stunning.
As everyone knows, I am eclectic in my tastes as it concerns church architecture. I love the modern cathedral in San Francisco and the one in Oakland, CA. I loved the classic and modern blend of my former church in Richmond Hill, St. Anne’s.
This one, Greek Orthodox, takes the cake. I love it.
See a brief Facebook video HERE, PRESS HERE! IT IS WELL WORTH THE WATCH…
7 comments:
It is quite beautiful on the inside, wuile appearing to be grain silos on the outside with a dash of Hollywood Bowl thrown in. Modern only to be modern, not classic Byzantine only to thumb nose at classic Byzantine. To show they are with the times, too.
Quality materials, beautifully executed interior. The interior could use a little more warmth for my Eastern liking, however, it is beautiful and the iconography was beautifully written, the iconostasis beautifully carved and the Kliros (Chanting Stand) is both beautiful and unique as described in the video.
As for the exterior, I can't say that it resonates completely with me. Absent the cross on the central dome, it is lacking in Christian symbols. The entry reminds me of a structure erected in the 1960s. Perhaps the notion was to provide a structure that seems more "with the times". If this is the case, not sure why there is concern of any sort as Eastern Churches generally are counter-cultural, timeless and mystical, among other descriptors. Additionally, "with the times" usually excludes faith, and increasingly, the mere mention of Jesus Christ. Certainly, and regarding its shrinking global footprint, the Catholic Church herself is succeeding in ways difficult to have imagined 50+ years ago.
This structure's design is a bit controversial and will likely remain so. The success or failure of this design will become evident with the passage of time. For comparison, Roman Church designer and architect Duncan Stroik submitted the following for consideration during the design phase: https://aleteia.org/2016/05/25/bringing-beauty-back/. To me, Stroik's design paid greater homage to the patrimony of this particular Orthodox jurisdiction.
This parish waited an inordinate amount of time to again be able to come together as a parish family under their own roof. I do wish them well as they settle into their new temple. May God grant to the parishioners, benefactors and their friends peace, health and happiness, for many blessed years!
Sophia here: I appreciate your thorough analysis ByzRus. I love the interior but find the exterior off putting. And I heartily join you in your prayers for this Faith Community- especially in light of the wicked, diabolic action which necessitated this replacement. Thank you for sharing this story Father.
I am with you on every comment, the interior is as beautiful as an ice castle. I, too, prefer the Stroik design with it far better capturing the Greek Orthodox. They seemed to follow more the memorial aspect rather than church aspect in the design, where with already a memorial next door, seems redundant and overkill....but, they had to raise money, and a memorial more likely to draw funding from a wider pool of donors.
I am quite taken by the design, exterior and interior.
A brief description of the design from the archtect, Sergio Calatrava, can be found here.
https://calatrava.com/projects/st-nicholas-greek-orthodox-church-new-york.html
The "silo" effect can, in fact, be found in a number of Greek Orthodox curches. A quick Google search shows a few of them.
Kavanaugh, the difference between a silo and a tower is the exterior appearance of surface and the seamless domed top. Stroik far better showed the Byzantine Greek, his design far more like the classic Greek Orthodox churches I grew up with in my home city. The exterior of the chosen design looks like silos on the half-shell, all which is lacking is Purina red checkerboard to complete fhe effect.
Bobbie, take a look at a dozen Greek Orthodox churches in Google images, including the building this one replaces. The architectural style vary widely. Savannah's Greek church was built for and served for many years as the civic auditorium.
Maybe the Greek Archbishop and the people didn't want a Byzantine Greek style. That's their choice.
The world wasn't meant to conform to your memories of your home city. I'm glad it doesn't.
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